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Joomla

Joomla

Overview

What is Joomla?

Joomla! is a free and open source content management system used to publish web content. Included features are page caching, RSS feeds, printable versions of pages, news flashes, blogs, polls, a search function, and support for language internationalization.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Joomla is a versatile content management system used by various businesses and organizations to run and manage their websites. It is …
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Jammin' with Joomla!

10 out of 10
October 18, 2019
Incentivized
Joomla is used across our organization. It solves our website address needs and much more due to its flexibility and ease of use. We …
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Popular Features

View all 16 features
  • Availability / breadth of extensions (45)
    8.0
    80%
  • Role-based user permissions (44)
    7.0
    70%
  • Page templates (45)
    7.0
    70%
  • WYSIWYG editor (46)
    6.0
    60%

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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What is Joomla?

Joomla! is a free and open source content management system used to publish web content. Included features are page caching, RSS feeds, printable versions of pages, news flashes, blogs, polls, a search function, and support for language internationalization.

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

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Alternatives Pricing

What is Adobe Business Catalyst (Discontinued)?

Adobe Business Catalyst was a cloud-hosted system for building and managing web content and online stores with a built-in CRM framework in addition to sales, service, and marketing features including eCommerce and Email Marketing tools. It has been end of life (EOL) since 2020.

What is Agility?

Agility CMS is a cloud-based content management system from the company of the same name in Toronto, Ontario.

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Product Demos

Joomla! 3 Quickstart Installation Step by Step Guide

YouTube

JA Elastica - Free Responsive Design Template for Joomla 2.5!

YouTube

Template Creator CK 3 - Overview, simple demo, create your Joomla template in 7minutes

YouTube

Template Creator CK 3 - Overview, simple demo, create your Joomla template in 8 minutes

YouTube
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Features

Security

This component helps a company minimize the security risks by controlling access to the software and its data, and encouraging best practices among users.

7
Avg 8.0

Platform & Infrastructure

Features related to platform-wide settings and structure, such as permissions, languages, integrations, customizations, etc.

6.5
Avg 7.7

Web Content Creation

Features that support the creation of website content.

7.2
Avg 7.6

Web Content Management

Features for managing website content

6.6
Avg 7.3
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Product Details

What is Joomla?

Joomla! is a free, open source content management system used to publish web content. Joomla is written in PHP, uses object-oriented programming (OOP) techniques and stores data in a MySQL, MS SQL, or PostgreSQL database. Included features are page caching, RSS feeds, printable versions of pages, news flashes, blogs, polls, a search function, and support for language internationalization. Its dashboard organizing administrator tasks into context menus, from which content is edited, permissions set and changed, contacts managed, and messages sent to users. Extensions modify functionality in widely varying ways and provide flexibility.

Joomla Video

What is Joomla!

Joomla Competitors

Joomla Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Joomla! is a free and open source content management system used to publish web content. Included features are page caching, RSS feeds, printable versions of pages, news flashes, blogs, polls, a search function, and support for language internationalization.

Drupal, Kentico Xperience, and Plone are common alternatives for Joomla.

Reviewers rate Library of website themes highest, with a score of 9.

The most common users of Joomla are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(287)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Joomla is a versatile content management system used by various businesses and organizations to run and manage their websites. It is popular among marketing departments as it allows them to update web content without the need for a developer, saving time and resources. Web development teams also benefit from Joomla's user-friendly interface, using it to design websites for clients and teach them to make small changes independently. Additionally, Joomla serves as a content management system for a wide range of projects, both internally and for clients. Its flexibility and extendability make it a preferred choice for both non-technical users and developers.

Joomla is widely used across organizations to manage content on public-facing websites, including non-profit organizations and startup companies. It is also utilized by web hosting platforms for its user-friendly interface and automatic installation. Companies rely on Joomla to manage their company intranets, providing a centralized information clearinghouse. This CMS is also commonly used by website design and development departments to create and maintain websites for various industries. Furthermore, Joomla finds applications in educational institutions to manage department pages and provide control to individual representatives. Its ability to handle different features like e-commerce and blog sites makes it an attractive choice for businesses with diverse needs. Developers appreciate Joomla's customization options, allowing them to create templates and extensions tailored to specific requirements.

The City of Pomona's website is managed using Joomla, enabling web administrators to easily edit and disseminate important information to the public. The built-in Access Control List features of Joomla allow the creation of users and groups with specific rights, granting access only to authorized individuals. These specific users can sign in to the website from the front-end to edit or update content as needed. Additionally, Joomla's Social Network AutoPoster feature automatically posts new articles from the City's website onto its Facebook Page. The CMS also includes a contact manager that lists the contact information of city departments, council members, and the mayor. The user-friendly interface provided by the Joomla Content Editor Component, known as JCE, makes it easy for standard users to edit and update content, similar to using Microsoft Word. Overall, Joomla offers a range of features and functionality that make it a valuable tool for managing websites across various industries and organizations.

Versatility and Customizability: Users have found Joomla to be highly versatile and customizable, allowing them to create websites that meet their specific needs. Several reviewers have mentioned how they were able to tailor the CMS to their unique requirements, making it a popular choice for businesses and organizations.

User-Friendly Interface: Many users appreciate the user-friendly interface of Joomla. They find it easy to navigate and perform various tasks without much hassle. The logical and intuitive admin interface has been praised by several reviewers, highlighting its contribution to a smooth user experience.

Availability of Third-Party Components and Extensions: Reviewers have expressed their satisfaction with the availability of third-party components and extensions in Joomla's marketplace. This wide range of options allows users to enhance the functionality of their websites by adding features like e-commerce capabilities, social media integration, and more. Some users have even mentioned specific third-party components that have greatly benefited their website development process.

Confusing User Interface: Users have found Joomla's user interface to be confusing and not user-friendly, making it difficult to perform tasks quickly. Several reviewers have mentioned this issue.

Security Concerns: There were concerns about Joomla's security, with users mentioning that it was not the most secure platform in the past and needed regular updates and secure file permissions to combat vulnerabilities. Some reviewers have expressed worry about the security of their websites.

Menu Items Rearranging Themselves: Users reported frustration with menu items rearranging themselves after adding new ones. This inconsistency in menu organization has been mentioned by several reviewers as a source of annoyance when managing their websites.

Based on user reviews, users commonly recommend the following for Joomla:

  1. Consider other CMS alternatives: Explore other CMS platforms, especially if you are not tech-savvy or lack previous web programming experience. Compare different CMS options before committing to Joomla.

  2. Invest in learning Joomla: Highly recommend dedicating time and effort to learning Joomla. It is particularly beneficial for small business owners who publish their own web content but have limited experience. Having someone at your business who knows code, including HTML and CSS, is recommended.

  3. Use Joomla for specific purposes: Joomla is suitable for developing web applications and websites, especially for small businesses without the resources for a website agency or in-house management team. It is also recommended for associations and small to medium-sized businesses with the help of a Joomla expert. Additionally, it is seen as a good option for beginners and creating multilingual websites due to its ease of use and flexibility.

It's important to note that while Joomla offers powerful features, it may not be suitable for all users or scenarios. Users advise considering other platforms if SEO is a major part of your company's future or if advanced or e-commerce features are required. Checking out WordPress as an alternative before deciding on Joomla is suggested.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-4 of 4)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
Ricardo Melo | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Joomla! is used by our IT division to rapidly develop dynamic sites according to the needs of each department of the company. We tried to use WordPress but realized that when we had to develop something different from the focus of blogs, WordPress did not meet us and we had to migrate to use Joomla!. We had no problems using Joomla! here.
  • Quick and agile websites.
  • Easy website content management.
  • Lots of extensions for customization.
  • Nothing to improve, just keep always releasing update patches.
When you need something done quickly and automated and with good looks and experience for the user, Joomla! is the best option. For other more specific purposes like an e-commerce site, other tools should be considered such as OpenCart and Magento. It is worth mentioning that even e-commerce sites can be made with Joomla!, using a component called VirtueMart, but we did not feel much security in using it, but that seemed very good too.
Web Content Creation (8)
88.75%
8.9
WYSIWYG editor
90%
9.0
Code quality / cleanliness
80%
8.0
Admin section
90%
9.0
Page templates
90%
9.0
Library of website themes
90%
9.0
Mobile optimization / responsive design
90%
9.0
Publishing workflow
90%
9.0
Form generator
90%
9.0
Web Content Management (5)
90%
9.0
Content taxonomy
90%
9.0
SEO support
90%
9.0
Bulk management
90%
9.0
Availability / breadth of extensions
90%
9.0
Community / comment management
90%
9.0
Platform & Infrastructure (2)
90%
9.0
API
90%
9.0
Internationalization / multi-language
90%
9.0
Security (1)
90%
9.0
Role-based user permissions
90%
9.0
CMS programming language or framework
N/A
N/A
  • Due to being a free tool, there were no costs other than the training of the team that used the tool.
  • The return on investment was immediate because the return was rapid in projects with Joomla!
Joomla has a more general and wide use, more documentation, forums and community that develops many templates and extensions for almost all purposes. It has a great web-based administration environment and, with the correct permissions setting, it can be prepared for a regular user to submit content to the site autonomously.
No
OpenCart e Cakephp
  • Price
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
  • Analyst Reports
What most influenced the decision was the ease and great power of customization of the platform with its templates and extensions.
It would have started soon with Joomla, instead of using other tools.
James Fauria | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized

From 2011-2013, as the Web Master for the City of Pomona I personally built a 300+ page website for a city government with little to no budget. The old website was antiquated and didn't allow for the easy and quick editing and dissemination of important information for the public citizens to obtain. After implementing Joomla, the City of Pomona’s website now has these features:

  • Each department has its own individual folder to store its data in.
  • The web administrator can Create users and groups and then assign them specific rights according to the built-in Access Control List (ACL) features of the new CMS system.
  • Specific users with specific rights can sign-in to the website from the Front-End and edit/update content.
  • When the web administrator posts new articles to the front page news section, it is also posted to the City’s FaceBook Page automatically with a Social Network AutoPoster.
  • Specific users with specific rights can access, edit, and update the City’s Calendar, directly through the front end.
  • The website features a contact manger that lists the pictures, phone numbers, email addresses, and fax numbers of the city’s departments, council members and the mayor.
  • Utilizing the Joomla Content Editor (JCE) Component, when standard users sign into the website to edit or update, it’s easy for them to get work done because the JCE is incredibly user friendly and very similar to Microsoft Word.

    There are many more beneficial features that are too numerous to list.
  • Joomla has a Built in Media Manager that allows you to create your own folder, name it whatever you like, and then configure the settings of your Media Manager to redirect to the new folder. Then, after that is complete, you can create other folders inside of the “Main Media” folder in a proper organized hierarchical manner.
  • Joomla’s Menu Manager is extensive and configurable. Joomla allows for an Unlimited amount of Links to have in your Unlimited amount of Menus.
  • No Separate “Page” and Separate “Post.” There’s only one type: “Article.” ALL “Pages” are “Articles.” All “Posts” are “Articles.”
  • Joomla has Unlimited Custom Module Management – Joomla gives you the ability to create your entire website out of Modules or simply create and manage as many modules as you want. You could put them anywhere you want, in any place, on any page you want. You can even put Modules into the Menu Items.
  • Joomla has a Built-in Access Control List (ACL). This allows you to create Specific Groups and then you can add Specific Users to those groups and manage with a fine granular approach, which group can access which individual part or element in the website.
  • Joomla lets you Sign-in to the website from the Front-End and edit/update content in Articles and Modules.
  • With Joomla there is one central place for installing Templates, Components, Plugins, or Modules: the Extension Manager
  • Joomla has built in Cache Control. This gives your site a quicker response to requests, if nothing has been change to an article or other element.
  • Joomla has a built in Contact Manager that includes Google’s new reCAPTCHA v2. This is the modern version that helps to block spam and other malicious submissions.
  • Joomla has built in Global Check in for items. Useful if you want to quickly return articles and release them from users editing it.
  • Joomla has a built in Language Manager. Very useful for International Websites or websites that welcome people who speak different languages.
  • Joomla is compatible with Microsoft Windows SQL Server and Microsoft Windows IIS Server so it could be seamlessly used in a Microsoft Environment. Most corporations run on Windows Networks with Windows Servers.
  • Joomla has a built in Authentication – LDAP plugin that synchronizes with Microsoft Windows Server’s Active Directory so you can just use your standard A.D. Login to sign in to Joomla on your organization’s Intranet Website. Implementing a Joomla based "Intranet" is a great low cost solution.
  • Joomla has built in Nested Categories. This provides for a more organized hierarchical atmosphere.
  • Joomla has built in Revision Control. In case something goes wrong in an article, you could revert back to a previous version.
  • Joomla has built in Tag Management. Tags help users to find articles pertaining to specific subject matters.
  • Joomla has built in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) settings on important parts of the Website including: Articles and Menus. This is where you can insert keywords and metadata. This helps with search engines.
  • Joomla has Search Engine Friendly (SEF) URL abilities that use Apache Mod_Re-Write. Instead of the user trying to read "?=itemid1" they will easily read "about" or "services" in the url of their web browser.
  • For Developers and Software Engineers:
  • Joomla is Object-Oriented Designed - Unlike Joomla's main competitors: Drupal and WordPress, Joomla, is an Object Oriented Designed (OOD) CMS. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) takes the view that what we really care about are the "objects" we want to manipulate rather than the logic required to manipulate them. One of the principal advantages of object-oriented programming techniques over procedural programming techniques is that they enable programmers to create modules that do not need to be changed when a new type of object is added. A programmer can simply create a new object that inherits many of its features from existing objects. This makes object-oriented programs easier to modify.
  • For Developers and Software Engineers:
  • Joomla is MVC - Also unlike Joomla's competitors, Joomla's architecture is MVC. Model–View–Controller (MVC) is a software architectural pattern for implementing user interfaces. It divides a given software application into three interconnected parts, so as to separate internal representations of information from the ways that information is presented to or accepted from the user.
  • Joomla is SLOWER than its competitors. Although, with the implementation of new Solid State Device Hard Drives in Modern Website Host Servers, the slowness is becoming less noticeable.
  • The Image Editing abilities of the built in Media Manager are USELESS. WordPress is much better at built-in Image Editing.
  • The ability to either turn off or turn on, Automatic Menu Item Creation does NOT exist. WordPress is much better at that.
  • Sometimes, it seems like Joomla or its database becomes confused and\or Cache Build Up becomes a problem, and then the cache has to be cleaned out.
  • There is no built-in Automatic Cache Cleaning at configurable intervals.
  • The updating and upgrading process is easier than it ever has been, but it’s still not as flawless and as easygoing as WordPress.
  • NO Automatic Update abilities for Components, Modules, or Plugins.
  • Joomla is NOT nearly as popular or as used as WordPress.
  • Joomla lacks a comprehensive Preview ability. And there really isn't a good plugin for it. WordPress's Preview ability is far superior to both Joomla and Drupal.

Joomla! is very suitable and the best choice for medium to large sized organizations. For example a city government, county government, state government, a high school, college or university, a police department or a fire department. I do use Joomla! for small, medium, or large organizations or projects, but for some people it might be overkill. Just like any other piece of software, the developer and the administrator need to know how to use it.

I think a great use of Joomla! would be in the education sector. Joomla! has a wealth of Components, Modules, and Plugins.

Two of my favorites that I have been working with currently are:

1. Joomla’s: JomSocial http://www.jomsocial.com

2. Qontori Pte Ltd’s: Joomdle http://www.joomdle.com

The really awesome part about both is that Moodle and JomSocial can interconnect with each other providing an even more useful experience for students and staff in an Online Learning Environment.

In conclusion, I have had a great experience using Joomla and I will continue to use and implement it whenever I can.

Web Content Creation (8)
85%
8.5
WYSIWYG editor
80%
8.0
Code quality / cleanliness
90%
9.0
Admin section
90%
9.0
Page templates
90%
9.0
Library of website themes
90%
9.0
Mobile optimization / responsive design
100%
10.0
Publishing workflow
90%
9.0
Form generator
50%
5.0
Web Content Management (5)
98%
9.8
Content taxonomy
100%
10.0
SEO support
100%
10.0
Bulk management
100%
10.0
Availability / breadth of extensions
90%
9.0
Community / comment management
100%
10.0
Platform & Infrastructure (2)
100%
10.0
API
100%
10.0
Internationalization / multi-language
100%
10.0
Security (1)
100%
10.0
Role-based user permissions
100%
10.0
CMS programming language or framework
N/A
N/A
  • As far as overall business objectives, because of the ease of use of DIY websites now like: 1&1, SquareSpace, Shopify, Weebly, etc., business has not been good. But when it comes to implementing it into an organization, it has greatly and significantly reduced government business process congestion and optimized the way a government body can quickly deliver information to its citizens at an extremely low cost.
  • WordPress,Drupal

Before I settled in on using Joomla for the City of Pomona, I experimented with WordPress and Drupal, as being the right fit for the new website. Each time I went through the analysis, research and development, both WordPress and Drupal, came up short for quickly delivering a robust extendable and easy to use solution that had to be in place immediately.

Here's some frustrations that I encountered with WordPress and Drupal:

  • WordPress limits the number of links you could have in the Main Menu.
  • WordPress's Menu Manager is lacking many features that are standard in Joomla's.
  • WordPress has a useless Media Manager that does not allow for Folder Creation or custom built Hierarchical structures that reflect real life departments and organizations.
  • WordPress lacks the ACL that Joomla has.
  • Drupal also has a useless Media Manager that does not allow for Folder Creation or custom built Hierarchical structures that reflect real life departments and organizations.
  • Drupal was a time consuming headache that always had a dramatic problem popup every step of the way when trying to build the website, and frequently the whole operation would just implode.
  • Drupal wasted months of time because of its incompatibilities.
  • Drupal lacks the ACL that Joomla has.
  • Both Drupal and WordPress are NOT MVC or OOD.
1
In my organization: Jaymersun Website Services, I use Joomla to develop websites.
When I worked at the City of Pomona, I built the Public Internet Website, and the Internal Intranet Website for them, and there are about 20 users who use it. It has greatly de-congested Government Business Processes.
1
People with knowledge of HTML, CSS, a little PHP and a little JavaScript would be helpful in the more complicated situations that require extensive customization. But for the most part, that kind of extensive customization isn't necessary or common.

An average user who is familiar with Microsoft Word could use Joomla well.

  • The City Calendar needs to be updated.
  • Water and Utility rates need to be updated on the Water Dept section.
  • Planning needs to upload a PDF to the site so the public could get to it for downloading purposes.
  • Before I implemented Joomla in the City of Pomona, one particular dept had to print up thousands of pages and fax them over to other agencies that they work with. Now, they can simply list them on the website for the other agency to download.
  • City of Pomona has been able to submit one post to its news section of its front page, and then it automatically posts to the City's FaceBook page.
  • Citizens are able to subscribe to not only the RSS feed but also to the Calendar for updates of events.
  • You can use Joomla as an Intranet.
  • With the right component (JomSocial), you can create your own Private Social Network similar to FaceBook.
  • You could incorporate the Online Learning Management System: Moodle into your Joomla and into your JomSocial together.
  • With the Component Fabrik, you can build Software Applications with Joomla.
I would really rather use Joomla over WordPress and Drupal any day.
Yes
For the City of Pomona, they had an older antiquated (10-15 year old) php\html website. The website had been broken for some time before I arrived. It didn't have the modern CMS technological abilities that Joomla had. The users needed to be able to update\edit information quickly and they weren't able to do that.
  • Price
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
The price. Most Government agencies don't have the kind of budgets that the private sector has.
I wouldn't change it. I would still implement Joomla. However, if I had a budget to go along with the implementation, I would have chosen a much better Host (InMotion, SiteGround, etc.) to host it on, and I would have purchased a lot of high end plugins for Joomla.
  • Implemented in-house
Yes
Phase One was to set up a folder on the Host and install Joomla.
Phase Two was to copy all of the data from the older website, which was still up and running and publicly accessible a that time, into the new one and configure all the plugins.
Phase Three was to go live with the new site by putting it on the root of the "public_html" folder and replacing the old one in the Host.
Change management was a big part of the implementation and was well-handled
Because of how broken and un user friendly the old website was, the new website was a breath of fresh air. The users were able to navigate much easier and find the information that they needed as compared to before.
  • Bad low quality Web Host.
  • No budget for a better Template.
  • At that particular time, Joomla was jumping to different versions. This was a headache, but understandable because of its growing pains. Joomla is no longer going through those growing pains.
Joomla has gone through tremendous growing pains. It is now better than ever. But before, when it was going from 1.5-2.5, the templates and plugins would break over and over again. If you don't understand what Joomla was trying to do back then, you might have a bad attitude toward it. Today, those pains are over and things don't break like they used to during that time period.
Joomla is OpenSource and the support you get will come from a very helpful pleasant and responsive community of volunteers.
No
I've never actually tried to contact any support, but when things get complicated I just turn to the Joomla Forums for suggestions and ideas. They always have a great answer.
  • Adding a new Category.
  • Adding a new Article.
  • Adding a new Menu Item.
  • Implementing Title Meta Tags
  • Implementing Keyword Meta Tags
  • Implementing Description Meta Tags
Yes
Perfectly
Joomla lacks a few specific features that both WordPress and Drupal do a little better, but other than that it does everything else better than both of them.
Today's Modern Joomla performs very well and is robust and durable. The pages load faster than they ever did in the past and Modern Joomla's integration into other software or systems has become seamless. Modern Joomla sites will last long and will stay running forever.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use Joomla as the primary platform for the development of client and internal websites. It provides a robust framework for creating dynamic websites and meets the needs of web projects from simple informational sites to complex action driven projects. Over the years we have used a variety of Joomla versions to deliver web solutions and have enjoyed the new features that each upgrade brings. We find it to be the best overall CMS on the open source market.
  • Framework stability and continuous development by a dedicated group of developers
  • Comprehensive network of extension developers providing a wide range of solutions via components, modules and plugins that will accomplish virtually any web related functionality goal
  • Well organized, active support community that is communicative and easy to tap in to.
  • Reasonably priced template options offered by a variety of professional companies focused on the ongoing development of cutting edge templates to reflect the latest trends and features.
  • Easy to customize and build off of without the need for repeated redevelopment when the time comes to revamp and renew a sites' look/feel
  • It would be nice to see more of the "internet marketing" based extensions that easily incorporate marketing strategies like email list building, user/mobile friendly popups, etc. There are some available now but it will be nice when they become more plentiful.
  • Would like for more SEO options to be built into the core framework but it is simple enough to install extensions to meet those needs.
  • Transitioning from major versions can be a tough transition. (i.e. moving from J2.5 to J3) It can be time consuming and tricky to upgrade. They seem to be working on that in the latest version - J3
Joomla is well suited for 90% of website development projects. The only time I use WordPress is when I want to create a quick and dirty landing page type website and only then because I have a smooth extension that converts the WordPress environment into a basic landing page development platform. Otherwise, I am a Joomla lover and will always turn to it to rely on it's flexibility and robust options. Once you grasp the basic concepts of how the platform works, the sky is the limit in terms of development of function. It just makes sense.
Web Content Creation (8)
93.75%
9.4
WYSIWYG editor
100%
10.0
Code quality / cleanliness
100%
10.0
Admin section
100%
10.0
Page templates
100%
10.0
Library of website themes
100%
10.0
Mobile optimization / responsive design
100%
10.0
Publishing workflow
100%
10.0
Form generator
50%
5.0
Web Content Management (5)
92%
9.2
Content taxonomy
100%
10.0
SEO support
80%
8.0
Bulk management
80%
8.0
Availability / breadth of extensions
100%
10.0
Community / comment management
100%
10.0
Platform & Infrastructure (2)
100%
10.0
API
100%
10.0
Internationalization / multi-language
100%
10.0
Security (1)
100%
10.0
Role-based user permissions
100%
10.0
CMS programming language or framework
N/A
N/A
  • Reduces Maintenance Expense - Simple interface saves clients money on site management by allowing inhouse management where desired
  • Ease of Updating - Reduces website upgrade expense by allowing template upgrades without the need for redevelopment of content
  • Scalability is huge - Client gains entry to an enterprise level web presence with a smaller budget and can grow/add functionality as the budget allows without a redevelopment of the entire site.
  • WordPress,Open Cart,Drupal,oscommerce,Apricot,wix
Many CMS platforms are worthwhile contenders but we have found that Joomla consistently provides the most stable framework with the best options for accomplishing whatever we throw at it. There are times that we will choose WordPress. When the budget is very small and the need is very simple. Other than that scenario, we turn to Joomla every time for a consistently competent end result.
No
  • Price
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
  • Third-party Reviews
When I opted to go with Joomla, I downloaded an tested a few other CMS platforms. Drupal was the head to head contender at that time. I opted for Joomla initially because of the community support and responsiveness of the developers. It has been an excellent decision and I've watched that community grow along with the growing community of professional extension developers. Joomla is a solid platform and will continue to be as long as it's community stays vibrant.
I wouldn't change anything about my decision. I have used Joomla for nearly a decade. I have watched it grow and morph into what it is now and with every new feature I am only happier. I recommend taking the time to get past the initial learning curve to fall in to the true potential of the platform.
Marni Derr | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I currently specialize in using the Joomla CMS for an extensive range of web site types; From simple writer blogs to full corporate extranets, intranets, sales, portals, and knowledge bases. Joomla is easily used by employers and employees across an organization. In order to keep IT costs down, users with very little web knowledge can manage a Joomla web site with a few days of training. It is not necessary to know or understand coding or design.
  • Joomla has one of the largest communities of developers in the CMS market. With easy to install plug-n-go applications there is no need to hire a developer to custom build your web sites main features or functionality.
  • Joomla 3.2 and the available template frameworks are responsive, clean, and current. These frameworks keep updated on the cutting edge of mobile and web use.
  • With a few hours of training, most users can maintain and update a Joomla site as easily as you would write up a document.
  • Over the past few years Joomla remained behind in the ability to update a site easily, with few issues. Joomla is getting much better at one-click updates, but there can still be issues with other applications (components) that do not stay current.
  • Joomla does have a small learning curve. Although it is not necessary to know or understand any coding when utilizing Joomla, a user will need to understand how Joomla compiles it pages and how to create use the main features.
  • The choice of applications available can make it difficult to find the right one for your company. For example, there are 5-6 top eCommerce solutions on the market for Joomla. Careful thought and investigation should go into selecting the right one.
When selecting a CMS, it is important to understand the Server requirements. Though most hosting providers now automatically support CMS apps like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla... you can select a less than adequate hosting system which will lead to frustration with the product. Always check Joomla requirements against what a hosting provider offers, less is not always the best way to go. With the correct server configuration a user will experience few issues.
  • Easy to implement: Joomla is easy to install and configure. Open source and maintained by a community of developers for the last 10 years it will continue to grow and expand with the current technologies and trends.
  • Quick Training: Joomla is easy to use and there are a multitude of resources online and in bookstores. The average person can learn to use Joomla efficiently very quickly.
  • Large Selection of Applications: There are over 7,000 Joomla 3rd-party templates and extensions on the market. Low-cost, open-source, and free applications keep your site development costs to a minimum.
  • WordPress,Drupal
In today's market there is no 'best' CMS, only the right CMS for your web sites requirements. I have used WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla over the years. WordPress is a great CMS, but it started, and in my opinion, continues to largely support more simple blogs and portfolio's. Drupal is the most robust CMS, allowing for the greatest customization and heaviest of traffic, however Drupal requires a developer with strong coding knowledge modify or grow a Drupal web site.
Joomla falls nicely between these two categories. Easier to use than Drupal for a designer or weekend coder, while still allowing experienced coders to take Joomla to whole new levels of features and functionality. Joomla has more pre-built applications and more control than WordPress.
Joomla is perfect for small, medium, and large businesses while keeping development costs down, yet still performs perfectly for the sole-proprieter, blogger, or hobbyist.
5
I currently develop, design, and train using Joomla. We have two developers, two designers, and one writer/trainer. Each of us began using Joomla exclusively to support our clients a few years ago. We provide a wide range of services covering every faucet of using Joomla for web sites. My company provides on-site, on-line, and custom training for the widest range of Joomla 3rd-party extensions. Each extension we teach, we use extensively.
1
I am a consultant and I currently use sub-contractors I have worked with for years on Joomla projects that require more features or functionality. Joomla is easily maintained by most of our clients, so keeping a staff to maintain the many sites we build is not necessary. We work independently, yet have a reliable group dynamic to cover all aspects of Joomla implementations.
  • Low-cost, high value solutions.
  • Quick and easy implementation.
  • Short training sessions.
  • We have used Joomla to create a multi-agency site. A single Joomla installation, but 7 very different web sites that integrate and can be managed from one install.
  • A company intranet.
  • A community social portal.
  • Online Universities and Training.
  • Large e-Commerce solutions.
  • Large multi-part, self-maintained directories or listings.
After years of offering all three of the top CMS' in regards to development, design, and training experience, I chose four years ago to begin offering and using Joomla exclusively. Client experience has taught me that Joomla simply fits 99% of most requirements.
Yes
At the beginning of my web career I started with WordPress. WordPress was easy to use and free. After time sites began to grow and do more, requiring more customization, control, and expansion. As my needs and the needs of my clients grew, I began using Joomla more and more until a few years ago when I started using Joomla exclusively.
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
Joomla sits perfectly between the top two CMS competitors. Easily expandable yet simple enough to use for simple site requirements. The availability to use any of the thousand of pre-built applications in the Joomla community was the number one deciding factor for my company in offering Joomla. Joomla applications expand Joomla in such a way that almost any imaginable feature or function can be found, installed, and configured in very little time.
I cannot say that I would change the process I used. I tried each product thoroughly, then listened to clients. The one thing that would have helped in the early days of trying on so many different CMS's would have been a site like TrustRadius in order to make a truly informed decision on which would fit the needs of a particular web site. For example, I no longer use WordPress but it is still a very viable option and I still recommend it today when a clients requirements are best suited to it.
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